THROUGH THE YEARS In 1990, Miller provided the fnancial backing for Mercyhurst to purchase the former St. Mary’s Seminary. Today Mercyhurst North East enrolls more than 650 students in 30 academic programs. Through nearly three decades, Miller and his wife Janet remained the primary benefactors of the institution. In 2011, as part of MNE’s 20 th anniversary, Miller was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. As the co-founder of Better Baked Foods Inc., Miller was recognized widely for his leadership, business acumen and service to his community. As the largest donor in Mercyhurst history, he believed strongly in the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy and never tired of fnding ways of fulflling their dream that everyone who seeks an education should have one.
“I love to grow things,” he once said.
SERVING COUNTRY, COMMUNITY
1991 Mercyhurst North East opens its doors, but Miller’s support began well before day one. He fronted a $50,000 deposit, then helped raise $500,000 to purchase the 84-acre former St. Mary’s Seminary from the Redemptorist Fathers. 2001 Miller challenges the community to raise $1M, then matches it to create the Robert S. and Janet L. Miller Family Scholarship Fund. Students begin receiving funds in 2004. Today, more than $850,000 has been distributed to 500 students. 2008 A gift of $500,000 launches the Growing Mercyhurst Campaign to fund the purchase and renovation of the First National Bank building of Interstate 90. The new Janet L. Miller Center for Growth and Academic Excellence allowed for expansion of the nursing program and Municipal Police Training Academy. The family again agrees to match up to $1M. 2012 A 9-acre parcel of the Miller Estate, located across from campus, is gifted to MNE. The $1M property featured a 5,600-square-foot home, gorgeous gardens, spacious garage and rustic barn. With a new learning lab, the gift expanded the opportunities not only for culinary and hospitality students, but also for collaboration between the campus and community.
The Robert S. Miller Award is given each year at graduation to an adult student in recognition of outstanding academic performance while maintaining responsibilities to family, work and the community. Jason Derry, the 2018 recipient, is just the type of student Miller would have loved. Derry, a father and veteran who served eight tours with the U.S. Air Force in Iraq, decided to return to school to pursue a nursing degree. Derry earned a 4.0 GPA and is currently working in the neonatal intensive care unit at Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie.
Beth Ann Sheldon in the hotel lab at the Miller Estate. PAYING IT FORWARD According to Janet Miller, Beth Ann Sheldon was the complete fulfllment of her husband’s dream for MNE. Sheldon came to MNE as an adult student who had not had the opportunity to continue on in higher education after high school. She graduated with her associate degree in 1998, continued to the Erie campus to earn her bachelor’s degree in 2001, became an adjunct instructor, and earned her master’s degree. Today she is not only faculty, but also serves as MNE’s Program Director for Hospitality/Culinary Arts. Miller, co-founder of Better Baked Foods, also took time to personally mentor Sheldon and MNE students, opening up his facilities for feld trips and experiential learning. “Mr. Miller has always been so supportive,” said Sheldon. “I will dearly miss him.”
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